Marvin Ray Back
August 13, 1985 ~ December 30, 2013
Born in:
Atlanta, GA
Resided in:
Lawrenceville, GA
Marvin “Ray” Back, 28, of Lawrenceville, GA, passed away on December 30, 2013. He died of complications from pneumonia at the Gwinnett Medical Center in his hometown.
Ray was born in Atlanta to Steve and Mary Ann Back on August 13, 1985. He spent his elementary school years in Florida until he returned to Georgia where he graduated from Berkmar High School in Gwinnett County in 2005.
Ray was proud of being an Eagle Scout and was an active member of several local Boy Scout groups. He served as an Assistant Scout Master and the Webmaster in Troop 514. He was a founding member of Amateur Radio Venturing Crew 73, in which he served as an Associate Advisor. He was also a member of the Apalachee District Committee—the Boy Scout District for Northern Gwinnett County—in which he served as the District's Webmaster. For all his work on its website, the District awarded him the District Award of Merit in 2007 and named him Scouter of the Year in 2012. Additionally, he received the Vigil Honor in the Boy Scouts' National Honor Society, the Order of the Arrow, where he also served as the Webmaster of the local Canantutlaga Chapter.
Ray was a licensed amateur radio operator, call sign KI4GRJ, and member of the Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society. He combined his love for amateur radio and his love for Scouting by working in support of Jamboree on the Air, an annual Boy Scout event that uses amateur radio to link Scouts around the world. Ray was also a founding member of the Northeast Georgia Council Radio Club.
Ray enjoyed computers, cartoons, and cats. He worked hard and was curious about the world around him. He was a thoughtful and caring family member and friend. He never failed to make his mother laugh, even when she was in no laughing mood. His determination and unique sense of humor will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Ray is survived by his parents, whom he lived with in Lawrenceville. He is also survived by his brother Philip, of Vermont, his brother David of Chamblee, GA, his sister Janet Anderson of Roswell, GA, and his cat Schultz.
His wake will held Friday, January 3, 2014, at Wages & Sons Funeral Home, located at:
1031 Lawrenceville Highway
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(770) 277-4550
https://www.wagesandsons.com
His family will be there to receive mourners from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., and from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Boy Scouts will perform a special ceremony prior to 8:00 p.m. that day.
His funeral will take place at the same location on Saturday, January 4, 2014, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Mourners are expected to arrive half an hour early. Immediately after the funeral, a procession will take Ray to Gwinnett Memorial Park where he will be laid to rest. The park is located at:
925 U.S. Highway 29 South
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(770) 962-7630
Condolences may be sent to his family at:
2028 Hunters Branch Ct., Lawrenceville, GA 30043
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May Jehovah the God of all comfort, comfort your family during this time of grief and sorrow. Death is something that effects us all , but the Bible does provide comfort and hope during this time.- 1 Corinthians 15:21,22 also John 5:28,29. I will pray for your family. Sorry for your loss. Marvin will be missed!
Words cannot express our sorrow. We will always remember Ray and his “can do” attitude. May God comfort you in your grief, may we help you in your time of need and may you feel free to call us for any reason.
Almighty GOD, Creator of the Universe, Omnipotent, Omniscient, all Knowing, all Seeing, Loving, Holy, and Giver of the Greatest gift in Jesus Christ; We pray that You hold Ray Back close to Your heart in Heaven above. In You is our Hope to see Ray again in Heaven. Comfort us and strengthen us in our grief. Amen.
Ray was a bright Light shinning on the dreary rainy cold day when we had J.O.T.A. Jamboree On The Air (Boy Scouts) this year. The Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society helped demonstrate Amateur Radio for the Scouts. Ray was a Ham Radio Operator and a Scout. At the event, everyone was feeling a bit melancholy because of the dreary cold weather. But not Ray! He was excited and bouncing around. He said “I can do that” or “I know just how my Dad likes it done”. His “can do” attitude lifted my spirit and others too. He was “johnny on the spot”. He set it up and took it down and loved every minute of it! I miss you Ray.
Psalm 23:4 — Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Matthew 5:4 — Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 11:28 — Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Philippians 4:7 — And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I will always remember the fun times we had when Ray was with Troop 561 and we went camping with Troop 561 and we just had a great time in the great outdoors.
I was one of the Leaders and all the boys and all the Leaders had a good time with Ray.
Now Ray soars with eagle and is doing Gods web-site in heaven.
God bless you, Wimachtendienk to our Brother Ray
A Scout is reverent. Ray, your work touched countless lives in our community, and the many youth and adults you inspired through your selfless efforts are all the better. You will be greatly missed, and fondly remembered.
Was pleased to know you through your friendship with my daughter Kirstin and her husband Bobby Hewett. Your loss is still a shock and I pray without ceasing for the comfort Christ will bring to your family during this time. Thank you for just being Ray and the smiles you brought to my face when I would see you at Publix occasionally. You will be genuinely missed by many.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Ray. My prayers will go out for the family. Only God can grant the everlasting comfort for this grief.
There are no words. May your memories help to ease the pain of his passing. My heart aches for you, your family and all who knew and loved Ray.
Once a month I would go over and cut Ray and Maryanns hair. Ray would always open the garage door when i would pull up and come out to help me and if it was raining he always had an umbrella. What a fine young man he was! I am going to miss him and his personality. Heaven just got another angel. I am praying that God comforts the family like only he can. God bless you all!
Steve, I’m sad to hear the news about Ray. I remember both Ray and you being a big part of the Gwinnett ARES growth in the late 90’s as I became EC and was trying to recruit members. Both of you are part of the “corner stones” of GARS and Gwinnett ARES that have created the success of these organizations.
I pray you find peace and comfort in this time of sadness. Memories of him will fill the void you now feel as time moves on.
God bless your family and you Steve.
My sympathy to the Back family. I always enjoyed Ray at OA functions. When he was working at the grocery store and he would see me he would always tell me I was from the dark side (Sweetwater) and we would always discus which district was better. I will miss him very much.
My family would like to send our deepest condolences to my boyfriend David’s family for the loss of Ray Back. Ray was a wonderful person and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to get to know him. He was very considerate of others and so helpful to his mother around the house when I would come over for the holidays. We became facebook friends and we would send each other messages, like each others photos and compete in Candy Crush Saga. He always had me beat and it was just his sense of humor to let me know, he passed me in the game again! I am so proud of and impressed with Ray. His Eagle Scout duties, his Gwinnett Amateur Radio Society duties, his web development skills, etc. He was very talented, just like his brother David. He had a big heart and will be missed by many. I am so sorry for your loss, may he rest in peace.
So sorry to hear of your family’s loss. May the love of Jesus Christ be shared with you and your family to comfort you in this most difficult time. I know you are part of a great community and I know you will receive strength from us all. ” And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phillipians 4.7 ESV.
I wish all Ray’s friends and family comfort during this time of mourning. We could not have lost a more honest and caring soul, Ray will be dearly missed. Time and distance can often make you forget what you had and how wonderful it was. I, for one, hope to always remember the great times we shared in scouting and to let those memories warm my heart.
God bless you Ray, and may He bless those of us now who must temporarily be without you. We will meet again my friend.
Steve,
We want to give you and family our most sincere sympathies.
My deepest condolences to the family. I becme a friend of Ray’s while shopping at the supermarke where he worked. Ray was always outgoing anf friendly. I never knew he was an Eagle Scout but that does not surprise me.Ray had a genuine laugh that he was quick to share and a smile for everyone he knew. I will pray that our heavenly father asuage you of the loss you have suffered.
We are so very sorry about Ray’s loss. My husband and I never had the chance to know him, but have the privilege of working with his sister Janet. It sounds like he was an amazing person. Our thoughts are with his friends and family.
My condolences to Janet and the rest of the Back family. I was also a Boy Scout and I know what an incredible accomplishment it is to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. I can only imagine how proud of their son and brother the entire Back family must be.
Ray will be truly missed.
I’m so sorry to hear about this terrible loss. Eternal rest grant unto Ray, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.
88,
Jim, K5ND
I did not have the privilege of knowing Ray, but heard of him from his proud father, whom I worked with, and traveled with, at the 2013 National Scout Jamboree. To the family, my heartfelt condolences. May God hold you in the palm of his hand and bring you comfort.
VY 73
Jim K4JF
Steve and Mary Ann, thank-you for affording Ray the opportunity to grow up in a Scouting family. Not only did he attain the rank of Eagle, but he was already sharing what you taught him to Scouts in his troop, crew and district. At least one of the young men his service inspired will continue in Scouting and continue the work he started. Our families prayers and thoughts are with you. Kindest Regards.
I’m saddened by your sudden death. I wish I could’ve met you. The things my sister, Kirstin, and her husband, Bobby Hewett told me about you, made me feel like I knew you. I’m praying for your family.
We are so sorry for your loss. Jan enjoyed working with Ray at publix, and thought of him as a son. Blessings to the family.
My deepest condolences to the Back Family. May the love of God comfort you in your time of grief and sorrow. Psalms 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
My heart goes out to the Back Family. Words do not seem adequate to express the sympathy I feel. The family will be in my thoughts and prayers as you get through this loss.
Fellow OA Brother, Eagle Scout and Dragon Patrol member. May you rest in peace. You lived with honor, cheerful service and dedication to your fellow man and will greatly be missed. You are now with the Great Master of all scouts of which one day we will meet again. My prayers for the family and may you find comfort in knowing that Ray was a special person with a special heart for all that he come in contact with. God Bless
I don’t even know where to begin. Ray was such a bright light in our lives that nothing else in it can compare. He could always bring a smile on my face even if I didn’t feel like talking or joking around. I am so glad that this world got to experience Ray, even if it was just for 28 short years. The world deserved more and so did Ray! God hold him now and we will see him again. Mama Back, I’m here if you ever need anything. You just say the word and I’ll be there. The same goes for the rest of Rays family. Rest in peace, Ray. We loved you so very much
Words cannot express my sorrow for loss of a great man. My deepest condolences to the Back Family. Ray will be missed and his memory will be cherished.
Steve, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you and your family are in my prayers. May you feel God’s loving arms around you and His strength to hold you up.
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Steve an Mary Ann,
I have never met your son Ray, but his accomplishments in Scouting and in use of Amateur radio say great things about his values and hard work for good activities for youth in your community.
My encouragement and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
.
F. John Solman, K9YB
Lincoln, MA 01773
Steve,
We weren’t able to make it tonight. I am so sorry for your family’s loss. Our prayers are with you. Please let us know if there’s anything we can do.
I’m sorry for your loss. He was a good friend of my sister for about ten years and she’s feeling down. May God be with him in Heaven.
I never knew Ray, but after hearing all the stories about him at the funeral, I felt like I had known him all his life. It was so moving to see how many folks got up and spoke so warmly, so lovingly about Ray. Dear Steve and family, please know that I am praying that God will give you his unspeakable peace in your time of sorrow and assure you of a wonderful reunion on the other side. God Bless and sustain you! Amen.
Steve,
I just got back from the holiday’s and saw this. I’m so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Let me know if you need anything.
Happy 30th birthday Ray.
I wish you were here to help us celebrate your birthday.
Love,
Aunt
Kathy